FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, March 15th, 2018 – United Palestinian Appeal’s strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. United Palestinian Appeal, www.upaconnect.org, has earned this top distinction since 2011.

“This is our highest possible rating and indicates that your organization adheres to sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way,” said Michael Thatcher, President & CEO of Charity Navigator.

Since 2002, Charity Navigator has used objective analysis to award only the most fiscally responsible organizations a 4-star rating. In 2011, Charity Navigator added 17 metrics – focused on governance and ethical practices as well as measures of openness – to its ratings methodology. These Accountability & Transparency metrics, which account for 50 percent of a charity’s overall rating, reveal which charities operate in accordance with industry best practices and whether they are open with their donors and stakeholders. On June 1, 2016, Charity Navigator upgraded its methodology for rating each charity’s financial health to CN 2.1. These enhancements further substantiate the financial health of its 4-star charities.

“Only 6 percent of the charities we evaluate have received at least 6 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that United Palestinian Appeal outperforms most other charities in America. This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator sets United Palestinian Appeal apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness,” according to Michael Thatcher in a letter to UPA.

Charity Navigator accentuates the work of efficient and transparent organizations to provide donors with essential information that increases their confidence in the donation decisions they make in the non-profit sector.

“It is heartwarming to see that the work we do is being recognized for being credible, transparent and effective. It’s also important that our donors trust that we’re using their donations wisely. I want to extend a special thanks to UPA’s staff for their hard work and dedication, and to UPA’s board for their support and guidance,” said Saleem F. Zaru, Executive Director of UPA.

United Palestinian Appeal’s rating and other information about charitable giving are available free of charge on www.charitynavigator.org. More detailed information about United Palestinian Appeal’s rating is available to Charity Navigator site visitors who complete the free registration process.

About Charity Navigator

Charity Navigator, www.charitynavigator.org, is the largest charity evaluator in America and its website attracts more visitors than all other charity rating groups combined. The organization helps guide intelligent giving by evaluating the Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency of more than 8,000 charities. Charity Navigator accepts no advertising or donations from the organizations it evaluates, ensuring unbiased evaluations, nor does it charge the public for this trusted data. As a result, Charity Navigator, a 501 (c) (3) public charity itself, depends on support from individuals, corporations and foundations that believe it provides a much-needed service to America’s charitable givers. Charity Navigator can be reached directly by telephone at (201) 818-1288, or by mail at 139 Harristown Road, Suite 101, Glen Rock, N.J., 07452.

About United Palestinian Appeal

Established in 1978, United Palestinian Appeal, www.upaconnect.org, is the oldest Palestinian-American non-profit organization working to support Palestinians. Throughout the years UPA has allocated close to $150 million for projects and programs in support of its mission. UPA has maintained its integrity as a strictly humanitarian organization, independent of any political affiliation or ideology. UPA’s program areas are health and wellness, education, outreach, and community and economic development.

Media Contact:

Saleem F. Zaru
United Palestinian Appeal
202-659-5007
sfzaru@helpupa.org

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